A man who almost caused a head-on collision with a lorry while dangerously overtaking has been sentenced in court.
Dashcam footage retrieved from the lorry Emmanuel Sylva was trying to overtake revealed the moment he swerved back into the southbound lane of the A350 with less than half a second to spare.
The defendant attempted the risky overtake shortly after 6am on 24 October 2023 – on a bend in the section of road approaching Stony Gutter from Semington.
The 39-year-old pulled out into oncoming traffic when another lorry was travelling towards him.
Footage shows the driver flashing his main beam to alert Sylva of their presence. Despite this, Sylva claimed he didn’t see the lorry until it was too late.
Realising he didn’t have enough time to complete the overtake, Sylva swerved back into the southbound lane and struck the side of the lorry he was overtaking.
Sylva, of Devonshire Place, Melksham, was sentenced to 10 months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work.
Futhermore, he has been disqualified from holding a driving licence for 12 months.
PC Jake Tunnacliffe, from Trowbridge Response, said: “Sylva was extremely close to colliding head-on with the oncoming lorry when he returned to the southbound lane.
“The consequence of his reckless manoeuvre could have quite easily been fatal.
“In court, Sylva admitted to driving dangerously and the prospect of spending 10 months in prison will loom over him if or when he re-obtains a driving licence.”
“I would like to praise the calm composure of the lorry driver involved in the collision who provided vital evidence for our investigation.”
